Counter-extremist Liam Duffy discusses violence in response to perceived 'blasphemy' in the West. Topics include sensitivity around Muhammad, chilling effect on free speech, Elon Musk's role on Twitter, and the impact of Islamophobia on the discussion of blasphemy.
Acts of violence related to blasphemy pose a concerning trend, particularly surrounding Islam.
Violence related to blasphemy has led to self-censorship and limited freedom of expression.
Targeted attacks in response to perceived blasphemy are a growing concern for Western societies.
Deep dives
The prevalence of blasphemy-related violence
The podcast episode explores the prevalence of acts of violence related to blasphemy, with a particular focus on acts concerning Islam. The speaker highlights the significance of documenting these incidents, which range from affairs of blasphemy to threats, plots, and successful attacks. The speaker notes that while there is a large number of such incidents, the database compiled for the podcast episode likely only scratches the surface. The prevalence of violence related to blasphemy is emphasized as a concerning trend.
The impact of blasphemy-related violence on free speech
Blasphemy-related violence is seen as a tactic to limit free speech and exert control over societal discourse. The podcast highlights the success of such tactics, as they have led to self-censorship and fear of engaging in discussions related to blasphemy. The speaker points out that the fear of crossing boundaries set by extremists has unintentionally reinforced their campaign, making violence more likely when perceived blasphemy occurs. The chilling effect on freedom of expression is discussed, particularly in relation to the Charlie Hebdo and Samuel Paty cases.
The rise of targeted attacks
The podcast discusses the shift towards targeted attacks as a tactical choice by individuals or groups in response to perceived blasphemy. Targeted attacks are seen as a more effective means of achieving goals compared to mass casualty attacks, as these attacks generate broader sympathy and support from certain circles. The speaker mentions that targeted attacks on individuals who are accused of blasphemy have a wider impact and are more corrosive to society than high-profile mass casualty attacks. This trend is noted as an ongoing concern for Western societies.
The role of speech laws and self-censorship
The podcast addresses the issue of speech laws in the UK and how they resemble secularized versions of blasphemy codes. The speaker discusses how these laws, along with the fear of being accused of blasphemy or hate speech, contribute to self-censorship. The impact of these speech laws on free expression and public discourse is examined, with concerns raised about the potential chilling effect they have on open dialogue and the stifling of debate on sensitive topics like blasphemy.
The limitations and controversies surrounding the term 'Islamophobia'
The podcast delves into the term 'Islamophobia' and its potential drawbacks. The speaker suggests that the term can inhibit meaningful debate by dismissing certain perspectives as beyond discussion. The politicization of the term is highlighted, as it can be weaponized to silence criticism or scrutiny of Islam as a belief system, rather than focusing on anti-Muslim sentiment or hatred. The speaker recommends using the terms 'anti-Muslim sentiment' or 'anti-Muslim hatred' to address these issues, shifting the focus to the well-being and protection of individuals rather than protecting an idea or religion.
This week on The Knight Tube, Stephen Knight (@Gspellchecker) welcomes the return of counter-extremist Liam Duffy. Liam has recently released a report chronicling the problem of violence in response to perceived ‘blasphemy’ in the west. They will discuss the high profile cases and the effect this has had on freedom of expression in the West.
0:00 Intro 01:02 Have we failed to make any progress on the issue of Islamic ‘blasphemy’ in the west? 01:14 What is ‘The Counter Extremism Project’? 05:41 How are we defining ‘blasphemy’? 08:27 Sensitivity surrounding Islam’s prophet Muhammad 14:32 The chilling effect on free speech: Is it now just a bad idea to publish cartoons that will inevitably inspire violence? 18:03 Elon Musk and should Muhammad cartoons violate Twitter’s rules? 23:56 Are modern blasphemy controversies in the west almost exclusively Islam related? 28:45 The reaction to the attempted murder of Salman Rushdie in New York 35:09 The silence from the UK Government on the Batley teacher forced into hiding. 38:10 Will we see more isolated attacks rather than largescale ones? 44:11 UK ‘hate speech’ laws as secularized blasphemy codes.
